Health Benefit: Apples prevent colon cancer.

When the natural fiber in apples ferments in the
colon, it produces chemicals that help fight the formation of cancer
cells, according to recent research from Germany. Other studies have
shown that one type of antioxidant found in apples, called procyanidins,
triggered a series of cell signals that resulted in cancer cell death.

Health Benefit: Apples stabilize blood sugar.

Apples are loaded with soluble fiber, which slows
the digestion of food and the entry of glucose into the bloodstream.
One group of researchers discovered that women who ate at least one apple a day were 28 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who ate none.

Health Benefit: Apples boost gum health.

Apples have long been called nature’s toothbrush. Though eating an apple doesn’t actually
cleanse the teeth, biting and chewing one stimulates the gums, and the
sweetness of the apple prompts an increased flow of saliva, which
reduces tooth decay by lowering the level of bacteria in the mouth.

Health Benefit: Apples help you lose weight.

Apples are packed with fiber and water, so your stomach will
want less food. Plus, studies out of Washington State and Brazil have
shown that people who eat at least three apples or pears a day lose
weight.

Health Risk: Apples contain pesticides.

Because apples are vulnerable to worms, scale, and other insects, the conventionally grown varieties are usually sprayed with pesticides several times. Always wash fruit carefully before eating, and consider peeling waxed apples—the wax may prevent pesticide residues from being rinsed off.

Health Risk: Apple cider or juice might cause bacterial infections.

E. coli and cryptosporidium have caused serious illness in people who consumed unpasteurized apple juice or apple cider (most commonly found at roadside stands or country fairs). Children,
pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems
should take precautions by opting for pasteurized juice or cider. Check
the label.